From Passionate Student To A Global Ambassador And Influencer: Meet Ritika Saraswat, Our Student Of The Month
When we first met Ritika, we were blown away by her credentials and achievements. She had a lot to share with us about her life, career, and motivations. She spoke with passion and clarity about what drives her and how she finds meaning in what she does. By writing this, we don’t expect to make Ritika’s journey justice, but at least we hope that you, our dear reader, get inspired the same way that we were.
Ritika was born and raised in Pune, India, where she grew up dreaming of becoming a doctor, a common aspiration – as she remarks – among many South-Asian youth who see medicine as a noble and prestigious profession. However, when she moved to Canada for her university education, she discovered a whole new world of possibilities.
She realized that there were many other ways to create positive change in the world besides the medical field. She became interested in the business world and started working as a freelance consultant for startups and nonprofits. During that time, she learned valuable marketing and business strategy skills and enjoyed her work's flexibility and autonomy.
"I ended up falling in love with the business side of things. I realized the huge potential there was to take ownership of my career by leveraging those business concepts around communication, critical thinking, teamwork, etc. And I think that's when I started my journey as a freelance consultant initially."
How Ritika's Journey From Science To Consulting Inspired Her To Start A Nonprofit
While working with institutions like UBC to develop mentorship programs for international students, she saw firsthand the struggles and challenges that these students faced in adapting to a new culture and environment. She also saw the lack of opportunities and resources they had access to. This motivated her to start her own nonprofit, Re-Defined.
Re-Defined is a nonprofit organization that aims to empower international students and immigrants in Canada by providing them with the tools and support they need to succeed. They have reached over 30,000 people across Canada and built a community of 50,000 immigrants through their various initiatives. Re-Defined's vision is to create a more inclusive and diverse society where newcomers can thrive and contribute.
The Road To Success Is Paved With Challenges
But being an entrepreneur is not all glamour and rainbows, it also comes with significant health and social sacrifices, as Ritika reflects on the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship with a full-time job, we learn that she not only has had to sacrifice sleep time but also part of her social life. She explains that sometimes, you must choose to stay home on a Friday night to work on a project instead of going out with your friends, illustrating with this, the importance of aligning actions with personal objectives.
“There have been times where I've been alone in the journey because I guess other people weren't willing to move at the pace I wanted to move at, which would lead me to tread the path by myself.” … “But I think at the end of the day if you know what you're doing, and you know you're confident that you can bring about that change, you've got to just stick with it”.
However, she faced a lot of resistance and skepticism from employers and even her own university. She recalls a frustrating conversation with a partner in one of the companies she was working for, who told her that she had no chance of getting into consulting with her Kinesiology degree. This was a discouraging moment for Ritika, but it also motivated her to prove him wrong. She realized that she had to advocate for herself and show how her skills and experiences were transferable and valuable in any context. She also realized that she had to find her own network and mentors who could support her and guide her in her career exploration.
“So that's when I really had to start taking ownership over my own journey, find the networks myself” she continues “So it left me with the sense that, okay, you know what, if I want to do what I need to do, I need to do it myself”.
One of the things that helped her along the way was the question that her mother asked her every day since she was eight years old: "What impact did you create today?" This question shaped Ritika's mindset and philosophy on life.
“As I mature, I realize what she really meant was that impact, even though it is about changing the world, doesn't mean you need to help a million people in a day, but it's all about impacting one person at a time. And I think once I understood that, it became the main motive or goal for me in anything I do”.
This understanding became her driving force in all endeavors, including her work at Deloitte and her nonprofit. She realized the power of accessible information and mentorship in providing opportunities and improving lives.
Leaving A Footprint In The World
Ritika’s efforts have not gone unnoticed; her path is full of awards and recognition. Currently, she works full-time at Deloitte as part of the human capital consulting team and is a motivational speaker with organizations like Jack.org. Some of her accolades include the Women Creating a Better World award by the Women Economic Forum (WEF), Business Leadership Award 2022 and Indian Achiever Award by IAF (Indian Achievers Forum), and being an ambassador at the One Young World 2022 conference, where she was selected among thousands of applicants to represent Canada, making history as one of the youngest South-Asian women to participate in this event. This opportunity gave Ritika the chance to speak to world leaders and share her ideas.
Ritika’s Advice To Make The Most Of Your Canadian Experience
As a former international student and now a successful professional in Canada, Ritika has some advice for newcomers. According to her, doing your own research is one of the most important things you can do. She suggests using Google and chatting with other students and professionals in Canada to learn about the culture, the education system, the job market, and the lifestyle. This will help set realistic expectations and avoid culture shock.
It also helps to have a clear vision of what we want to achieve in Canada. Ritika recommends identifying the specific job or role we aspire to have in the future and acquiring the skills that are in demand in Canada. She also advises on taking online courses, certifications or workshops that can boost our resume and showcase our abilities.
It’s recommended to network with people who can help us reach our goals. Ritika says we should connect with mentors and peers who can offer guidance, support, and referrals. She also suggests joining online communities, groups and events that are relevant to our field of interest. This way, you can start building meaningful relationships before we arrive in Canada.
Transforming Ideas Into Reality
It’s difficult to tell just by reading this, but after a brief conversation with Ritika, it is simple to understand why she became a consultant and a speaker. She translates ideas into actions with ease, she’s energetic and passionate about helping others find their true potential and catches you with her story.
Her journey is a testament to the power of self-advocacy, networking, and the courage to redefine one’s path. Her story inspires many, proving that impact is not confined to a profession but is about empowering individuals, as she likes to say, one person at a time.
If you want to know more about Ritika’s journey, feel free to follow her on LinkedIn. And if you want to stay updated on the latest news and discussions involving international students, come join our Slack community!
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